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Knox County ILGenWeb |
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Walnut Grove Township |
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From the 1870 Atlas Map of Knox County, Illinois, Andreas, Lyter & Co., Davenport, Iowa, 91 pages. [Submitted by Bob Miller.] "Messrs. Jones and Dehart settled on Section 21 before the Black Hawk War, but during the war, were obliged to leave on account of the Indians. Jno. Thompson settled in July 1836, Amos Ward in 1838. Jno. Thompson, Jr., was the first boy born, Hellen Ward, the first girl. Austin Fredrick and Elizabeth Finney, were the first couple married. The first death was Mrs. Insdale, sister of Mrs. Ward, on Section 16, at the residence of Abram Piatt, August 1838. Walnut Grove Township is one of the finest in the State, it is nearly all high, rolling prairie, well watered, rich and productive, beautiful groves greet the eye in every direction, while scarcely a farm is without a fine orchard. Its inhabitants are of the progressive and energetic class, as their uniform farm improvements clearly testify." From the 1878 History of Knox County, Illinois published by Charles C. Chapman. [Submitted by Bob Miller.] "John Thompson was the first permanent settler. He was originally from Pennsylvania, but removed from Ohio to Illinois in July, 1836, and settled in Knox county, on section 16, the present site of the village of Altona. Previous to this Jones and DeHart settled on section 21, but were scared away by the Black Hawk war in 1832. Mr. Thompson's nearest neighbor lived at Fraker's Grove, eleven miles distant. During the years 1836-7 a band of Indians, about 30 in number, camped for a short time just west of Mr. John Thompson's residence, and near the present high-school building in Altona. An old Indian and his squaw remained long after the body of Indians left, and most excellent neighbors they were. John Thompson, Jr., was the first male child born in this township. The second child was Helen Maria Ward, now Mrs. A. P. Stephens, of Creston, Iowa. In 1838, Mr. Ward made the first wagon tracks ever between Walnut Grove and Victoria. At one time Walnut Grove township was the home of a large number of Mormons. It was revealed to Joe Smith, the prophet, that a branch church should be established, and all the inhabitants of the beautiful land should yield up a portion of their increase to the building of a temple, sacred to the Mormon religion. While the great head of the church was at Nauvoo, Hancock county, Illinois, it was intended that a branch church should be established here, and a society of about 100 members was organized. The citizens generally were very much opposed to this plan, and a very strong intimidation, backed up by the most resolute and hardy land proprietors, to the effect that the property of the Mormons and the temple of the prophet would not in an emergency be protected by them, resulted in a new "revelation," commanding them all to leave their homes and go to Hancock county where the main body of Mormons had settled. This they all strictly obeyed, many making great sacrifices in so doing. Amos Ward was the first Postmaster in the township. He held the office for a long term of years, when it was much more troublesome than remunerative. A little drawer in a book-case served as a deposit for all the mail, for ten years. The first school-house was built about the year 1841. It was constructed of logs, and was 16x16 feet. Mary Frail, now Mrs. Tupper, of Altona, was the first female teacher, and Eugene Gross, who subsequently has figured quite prominently in the Legislature of this State, the first male teacher. The character of the school was good. Prominent among the early settlers was Simeon L. Collison, who resides in the southern part of the township. He came from England to the United States in 1830, and to Knox county in 1838. About the first lawsuit in the neighborhood was for ownership of a tree. The contestants were so fierce as to come to blows. The case was tried before a jury, in a log cabin. After all the evidence were taken, the jury retired to a small rail pen, to decide upon the merits of the question." From the 1886 Portrait and Biographical Album of Knox County, Biographical Publishing Company, Chicago. [Submitted by Pat Thomas.] An attempt was made toward the settlement of this township as early as the spring of 1832, by Messrs. Jones and De Hart, who made claims on section 21. The Black Hawk War frightened and drove them away and they never returned. It was unoccupied then until 1836 when John Thompson, from Pennsylvania, came in and made a claim on section 16, the present site of the village of Altona. His nearest neighbor then was at Fraker's Grove, some 11 miles distant. The only near neighbors the Thompsons had were a band of Indians; two of this band, an Indian and his squaw, remaining for a long time. Thompson was wont to speak of this couple in high praise, and regretted much to have them move away. Amos Ward and Stephen Eames moved into the township soon after Mr. Thompson, also Simeon L. Collinson, from England. From 1838 the settlement increased quite rapidly, and among those who came in were many of the Mormon faith, the leader of whom, Joseph Smith, proposed to establish a branch church here, and to erect a temple for worship. At this time, the head of this so-called religious society was at Nauvoo, Hancock County, Ill. They organized a society here of about a 100 members. The fanatics were not very cordially received by the other settlers, and it was intimated to them that they would not be protected here either in person or property, and that they had better seek some other land in which to propagate their peculiar ideas. Accordingly it became convenient for Joe to have a new revelation, and they were ordered to leave Walnut Grove and go to Hancock County, which order they promptly obeyed. John Thompson, Jr., was the first male child born in the township and Helen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Amos Ward, was the first female child born. Helen was married to A. P. Stephens and went to Iowa. The first marriage was between Austin Frederick and Elizabeth Finney. Amos Ward was the unlucky man to receive the first commission as Postmaster. He held this office for many years, receiving but little else than honor and trouble. The first school taught here was by Eugene Gross, who afterward distinguished himself in the legislative halls of the state. His school was taught in a small log building which was put up in 1841. A meeting was held for the purpose of township organization, April 5, 1853. Amos Ward was chosen Chairman pro tem., and L. B. Farris, Clerk pro tem., when the polls were declared open. H. L. Sage was elected Moderator, and an adjournment for one hour was had. Thirty-one votes were cast, electing the following-named officers; Amos Ward, Supervisor; A. F. Ward, Clerk; David Livingston and Amos Ward, Justices of the Peace; H. L. Sage, Assessor; James Pratt, Collector; H. L. Collinson, Daniel Allen and C. Capps, Highway Commissioners; Reuben Cochran, Overseer of the Poor; John Livingston and James Pratt, Constables. The land of this township is nearly all high, rolling prairie, having a rich soil, easy of cultivation. It is well watered by Walnut and Prairie Creeks, with their tributaries. Beautiful groves are in every part of the township, lending to it an additional feature of attraction. The C., B. &Q. R.R. which was completed through in the fall of 1854, runs nearly diagonally across from northeast to southwest, affording the people ample means of transportation. It has one good town, which is located near its center, and where the people do most of their trading. Some from the southwest part go to Oneida. There are many beautiful farms and fine farm buildings in this township. They great the eye of the traveler from almost every point, and cause him to wish he was one of the fortunate owners. Considerable attention has been given, of late years, to stock-raising, which has met with success. The population, in 1880, was 1,781; since this time there has been a slight increase. There are 11 school districts, one graded and 10 ungraded schools and 12 frame school-houses. Supervisors. Amos Ward 1853-54 |